Windsor Regional Hospital reducing mask requirements and updating visitor policy
Windsor Regional Hospital is reducing its requirements on masking inside the hospital and updating their essential caregiver (visitor) policy, in compliance with Public Health Ontario guidance.
WRH says the updates will generally move both policies closer to pre-COVID era requirements with some limited exceptions.
These new policies take effect at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, June 12, 2023.
MASKING
WRH is moving from a policy where masking remained within two metres of any patient to masking procedures whereby masking in ALL areas is based on:
- Point of care risk assessment (e.g. patient coughing)
- Additional Precautions (please look for signage on patient doorways prior to visiting a patient to determine if a mask and eye protection is required)
- Procedural (based on the type of procedure being performed)
Masking is highly recommended for patients and visitors in the Emergency Department (due to high volumes and the possibility of infectious patients present).
In any areas of the hospital that may face a respiratory outbreak, universal masking may be recommended depending on the specific outbreak situation.
WRH says they continue to support those individuals who still choose to wear a mask at any time. All individuals who put on a mask should use a hospital-issued mask. Masks will be provided at hospital entrances.
VISITOR (ESSENTIAL CAREGIVER) POLICY:
WRH officials say they recognize the significant role that loved ones play in the physical and mental recuperation of their patients.
In ongoing efforts to live up to their vision of “Outstanding Care No Exceptions,” they encourage loved ones to visit patients to provide face-to-face emotional support. At the same time, WRH encourages the community to recognize the important work they must do together to keep our patients safe from the potential spread of infectious disease.
Here is the full visitor policy
If you are planning to visit patients at the hospital but are experiencing fever, cough, runny nose, sore throat, skin rash, vomiting or diarrhea, you should not continue with plans to visit the patient, and should seek medical attention. If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or been in close contact with a confirmed or probable case of COVID-19 in the last 10 days, you should not visit patients in the hospital. Consistent with the pre-COVID era policy, effective Monday, June 12, in recognition of the important role that a primary caregiver can offer to Palliative, Emergency, Critical Care, Neonatal and Paediatric Patients each patient will be allowed 24-hour, seven-days-a-week access to an essential caregiver.
The essential caregiver can change from time to time. There are department specific guidelines for mental health, renal dialysis, the cancer program, critical care, emergency, lab and diagnostic imaging, family birthing centre, OB triage, maternal newborn clinic, women’s health clinic, NICU, paediatrics and the surgical program.
For all other areas of the hospital, general visiting hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. (daily, including weekends and holidays) with a limit of two essential caregivers at any one time (two adults, or one adult and one child). Exceptions may be granted on compassionate basis.
Due to the higher risk environment, the hospital does not encourage visits from infants and children under 14 years of age. Children who do visit must be supervised by a visiting adult.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
'It's discriminatory': Individuals refused entry to Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
Individuals being barred from entering Ontario’s legislature while wearing a keffiyeh say the garment is part of their cultural identity— and the only ones making it political are the politicians banning it.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.